Archives for February 2019

Islamorada Fishing Report February 21, 2019

February 22, 2019 by Mark

Hello everyone, and welcome back to this week’s report! The weather has had its ups and downs this week with some nice weather in the beginning of the week, then the wind started back up toward the end. The good news is that the winds are subsiding and should be nice for the weekend. Maybe a little wind close to 15 knots for Saturday, but Sunday is looking beautiful at around 10 knots. The fishing this week has been marginal for Sailfishing, as this wind should have kept the current in on the edge of the reef, but somehow did not. The HUGE moon that we just had I am sure pushed it out with the big tides, so with the wind staying out of the southeast, as this moon shrinks I am hoping the current will come back. A few sails around each day with most boat getting a shot or two throughout the day, but this is not the fishing we are used to. I think the weekend is going to have a more positive outlook than the past 2 weeks, so we will see what it brings. The wreck fishing has been picking up with the mutton snappers, and the groupers have been chewing. Can’t keep any groupers until May 1st, but they are still fun to catch. Still seeing good numbers of Kings and bonita, and a few really nice Wahoo this week with one weighing in at 61 pounds. That is a pretty good one for these parts, but we still haven’t seen the big numbers of them yet. The reef bite remains good with the yellowtail snappers and ceros if that is what you are after, as the wind has been creating enough movement to keep these guys chewing. The best of it has been from 60’ to 80’ as usual, so not much change here. Although, the patch reefs have some pretty nice fish on them, so you definitely don’t have to go deep to get them. No report from the Cobia on the ocean side this week mostly due to the weather, but if we get it to slick off, and the water cleans up, I will bet you they will be on the rays. Should start seeing the permit on the wrecks pretty soon, as they begin their annual migration to spawn. I have received one report already from the bubble blowers that they are starting to see a few on the offshore deeper wrecks, so stay tuned for this update. Still some pretty good fishing around, but you just have to fish smart. It has definitely been a week to “fish for what is biting’. Well, that is it for this week everyone! Check back next week to see what’s going on in our little piece of paradise!

Tight Lines,

Capt. James Chappell

Islamorada Fishing Report February 14, 2019

February 14, 2019 by Mark

Hello everyone, and welcome back to this week’s report! Pretty much nothing but crappy weather starting off the week as the front came through, and now at the end it is finally nice again. Looks like the weekend is going to be decent, so that should bring some smiles to everyone out there planning on getting out on the water this weekend! The fishing has been pretty good all week, but the Sailfishing is not as good as it could be. We finally got a little current moving in, so it has made conditions more favorable, but we haven’t seen much of an increase in numbers of fish. There are fish here, but they are pretty beat up, but as long as this current stays in here we should be back on track in the very near future. The good news is pretty much everything else is biting pretty good, so whatever else you like to catch shouldn’t be too much of an issue. The wreck fishing has been solid between nice Kings, Blackfin Tunas, Mutton Snappers, and even a few Wahoo. The Muttons could bite a little better, but you can definitely find a couple/few for the dinner table if you choose. The reef has been solid as well with a great bite of Yellowtail Snappers and some really nice Kings and Ceros in the slick. The Patches were doing good to the West, but the water has cleaned up considerably since the winds have subsided. Still fish to be caught on them, but you got to scale down your tackle to get the bigger fish to chew. Live Pilchards, if you can catch them or purchase them, is the way to go. This way you can really get the fish fired on the freebies making it much easier to catch them. Another good note is that the Cobia are starting to show up in the sand off the patch reefs. The last couple days the boys have found some rays loaded up with some nice fish to 50 pounds. Hoping this sticks around for a while, as the past year has been tough with these guys. The offshore scene is starting to show some promise with some Mahi starting to move through. Hoping this is a good indication of what is to come in the near future. Blackfin Tunas are on the humps, as well as Amberjacks and Almaco Jacks too. With the nice weather anyone who wants to get out should be able to, and with the fishing remaining pretty solid, the docks should be loaded up. I hope everyone has a great weekend, and be safe out there!

Tight Lines,

Capt. James Chappell

Islamorada Fishing Report February 7, 2019

February 8, 2019 by Mark

Hello everyone, and welcome back to this week’s report! Some pretty good weather we have had this week, but doesn’t look so great for the weekend. The winds are forecast to pick up to 25 knots, so it’s not going to be easy for any of you with smaller boats. With that out of the way, the fishing this week has been decent. A couple days of good fishing, and a couple that were just downright tough. The sailfish bite has had its ups and downs, as we really need a new body of fish to move in. Several of the fish we are catching have multiple hooks still in their mouths and are getting smarter every day. The wreck fishing is picking up with the bottom bite, and there have been lots of king mackerel around the wrecks and reef. The Yellowtail bite on the reef was great early in the week, but slowed as we lost our current and the water became gin clear. South of Alligator light has been better for reef fishing as the water was dirtier with good southwest current. The patches are producing well after this last cool front, with some decent bottom dwellers as well. This wind is hopefully just what we need to push in the gulf stream current, and get these sails on the move. A lot of fish being caught north of Miami, so keep your fingers crossed. Well, be safe this weekend, and we will catch you next week!

Tight Lines,

Capt. James Chappell

Islamorada Fishing Report January 31, 2019

February 1, 2019 by Mark

Hello everyone, and welcome back to this week’s report! A lot of fun we’ve been having this week here in the upper Keys, with some pretty good fishing too! The Sailfish bite has been good this week, with a lot of sails caught in the shallows showering ballyhoo. The reef’s edge is loaded with bait enticing these pelagics to come in close to feed. This is as exciting as it gets as you see the sails chasing large schools of ballyhoo around and having the opportunity to sight fish them. There are very few opportunities like this in any fishery, and we are lucky to have it right in our backyard! The wreck fishing is heating up as the mutton Snappers are starting to bite, and lots of king mackerel around with a few wahoo mixed in. Some nice tunas and good numbers of African pompano have made their way to the ice as well. The reefs edge and patches have been solid on the yellowtails, and good numbers of cero Mackerel in the slicks with them. Plenty of good fishing down here, so what are you waiting for! Good luck to everyone this weekend, and stay safe!

Tight Lines,

Capt. James Chappell